Youth in crisis can experience a variety of challenges such as: Behavioral addictions, technology or gaming addiction, runaway behaviors, sexual promiscuity and/or thoughts of suicide.
These imbalanced challenges can be compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, societal fears about global warming and a lack of support from family and friends.
1. Call 911
During a crisis, it is important to call 911. This number is available to anyone in need of help, including children who may be having a mental health or substance use crisis. This is the best way to get them immediate help and safety.
Youth are disproportionately affected during times of crisis. They are more likely to be unemployed and to have their education interrupted, leading to loss of life skills, social integration and emotional well-being. Their family and community networks are often disrupted during crises, leading to disintegration and isolation.
They are also at the forefront of social movements and easily manipulated, making them both powerful agents for change and potential sources of violence and destruction. It is therefore crucial that youth voices are heard and included in crisis response and planning efforts. Some state programs and foundations that support youth voice in crisis response include the MacArthur, Kellogg, Arnold and Annie Casey Foundations.
2. Go to the Emergency Room
The good news is that the surge in mental health conditions and suicide-related behavior among youth — many of them teen girls — in America’s emergency rooms appeared to be subsiding last fall. But the CDC says weekly emergency room visits have not returned to their pre-pandemic baseline.
It’s important to know that ERs are not equipped to handle the complex and sometimes undiagnosed needs of kids in crisis. For example, if your child breaks an arm you can be moved into a hospital bed quickly; when a kid in a mental health crisis arrives, they may wait hours while staff assess their needs and connect them with services.
To address this issue, states are experimenting with policies to support the expansion of youth crisis receiving and stabilization facilities. These facilities provide a stepdown option for adolescents who do not need to be hospitalized and ensure that they are connected with intensive wraparound care once they leave the ED.
3. Talk to a Psychiatrist
A youth might need to talk to a psychiatrist because of a lingering problem that affects their way they learn, feel, or behave. Psychiatrists treat these problems through regular sessions and follow-ups.
Prominent medical organizations have called for resources to help kids and teens in crisis. Many factors contribute to their challenges, from structural racism to pandemic isolation to family discord and mental health struggles. A 2021 CDC report found that high school students were most likely to have suicidal thoughts when they felt isolated and stressed, especially those who identify as LGBTQ and those living with poverty, abuse, or trauma.
When a youth is experiencing a mental health crisis, it is helpful for them to have a therapist that they trust and like. Sometimes, it can be difficult to get kids and teens in crisis to agree to therapy, but you can try talking with them about what they might most want to get out of treatment or getting their therapists lined up and let them interview each one to find the right fit.
4. Seek Help
Regardless of how serious the crisis, it is important for youth in crisis to seek help. Teach them about the warning signs and encourage them to tell a trusted adult or call a hotline or help line when someone they know may be struggling with mental health issues. In addition, encourage them to put the Crisis Text Line in their phone contacts so they can easily text “home” and get connected with a live crisis counselor.
It is also important to remember that many youth in crisis are facing imbalanced challenges. For example, poverty can have a significant impact on mental health, as it can lead to stress and depression and make it difficult for kids to cope with family difficulties or traumatic events.
In addition, there are concerns that climate change is causing mental health problems and creating anxiety for youths. Fortunately, there are many resources and organizations that focus on helping children in need.